Toyota is turning to greener engines. The hybrid Tundra was spied last year and according to sources, the Japanese company is working on a single platform for both its trucks. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is now very likely to happen and even fans on the Tacoma World forum are keeping the tabs open to this idea. Still, everything is far away from the official. Tundra will reportedly carry a drivetrain with more than 400 hp. It is too much for the mid-size Tacoma.
The company will give an advantage to the 2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid over a diesel unit. We saw a denial of such drivetrain for Tundra, but the truckmaker didn’t write off chances for the Tacoma diesel. Well, its non-US sibling, Hilux, is more popular with such powerplants. Also, more mid-size pickups in the United States are using diesel engines. But, there is no competition in the hybrid class and Toyota is a leader here when we look at other segments.
2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Drivetrain Specs
For a long time, we believed the drivetrain for the new 2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid will be based on a 3.5-liter V6 engine. A similar configuration produced 310 hp for the Highlander. But, the SUV got a new setup with a four-cylinder powerplant. Toyota sacrificed a lot of power to gain extra mileage. Well, the truckers need power and utility over efficiency and luxury. So, the hybrid truck requires a potent source of power, that will help it tow more cargo in toughest situations.
The company might revive a V6 hybrid, but with more power. Some say even the plug-in system is possible. On the other hand, a twin-turbo unit will be the source of energy for its larger sibling, Tundra. Additionally, we cannot exclude a hybrid truck based on a diesel powertrain. By combining these two, the company would get a greened engine and keep its capabilities.
Release Date in the US
Tacoma is the US truck. Outside the North American market, Toyota is delivering Hilux. The upcoming drivetrain is still in development and it won’t debut in the next 12 months. The pickup could be in production by the end of 2021 as 2022 YM.
The lack of competition does not put pressure on engineers. But, other companies are also considering joining this market. Nissan will launch a lot of new vehicles next season, including the next-gen Frontier. Some sources claim the hybrid engine will be a surprise of the season. On the other hand, we expect Ford Ranger with such technology. The Blue Oval company invests a lot into electrification. Still, the F-150 is a priority. Ram 1500 is already available with a mild-hybrid eTorque system. But, it is not what we expect from such units.
The price of Tacoma will go up. The new generation is not scheduled for the next couple of seasons. But, the hybrid model would refresh the interest in this pickup. The Japanese company made a lot of surprises with this technology. Currently, Toyota is delivering the most efficient midsize SUV ever, with Highlander returning mpg.